Pipe line cleaner



March 30, 1943. A, RlNEY E TAL 2,315,133

PIPE LINE CLEANER Filed June 5, 1939 L. J. WEBER Patented Mar. 30, 1943UNITEDA STATES PATENT OFFICE PIPE LINE CLEANER Arthur H. Riney and LouisJ. Weber, Bartlesville, Okla., assignors to Phillips Petroleum Company,a corporation of Delaware Application June 5, 1939, Serial No. 277,507

9 Claims.

. of the piping. Ihe substances so deposited will gradually build upuntil they Will eventually not only restrict and reduce ow, but willalso contaminate slugs of diiferent fluids that may be passed throughthe line. If it is desired to use the same pipe line to carry a quantityof white gasoline or like product, the deposits of parafln must becompletely removed, otherwise the gasoline will become tainted. Agasoline which has been contaminated in this manner cannot be used butmust iirst be reprocessed at the receiving end of the pipe line in orderto extract the adulterating components. This is obviously an expensiveprocedure, as it necessitates a costly duplication of equipment andeiort.

Numerous attempts have been made to rectify this condition by means ofmechanical devices which are passed through the line to scrape off thedeposits on the pipe wall, thus lowering the frictional resistance toow. By the use of conventional types of Scrapers, pipe lines may now bekept free .from thick deposits which ltend. to hinder flow. On the otherhand, experience has proven that these devices do not completely cleanthe interior wall of the piping as they allow films of the objectionablesubstances to remain on the inner surface of the piping. These films areas undesirable as thick deposits from the viewpoint of contamination andmust be removed before a second iluid can be transported without dangerof adulteration. One method of removing these lms is by running a slugof a suitable cleansing solution through line to dis- -solve and carryaway the undesirable coating.

all of which are constructed and arranged into a unitary assembly. Meansare provided to impart a rotary motion to one of the brushes with theresult that it will vigorously scour the inner surface of the pipe lineand in that way remove either heavy or thin lms. A series of spacedbaffles intermediate the ends of our cleaner are designed slightlysmaller in diameter than the internal diameter of the piping. The fluidwhich propels the cleaner through the pipe line will attain a highervelocity as it passes through the annular region between these baiilesand the pipe walls, thereby creating additional scouring action. In thepractice of our invention we recommend the use of gasoline as thepropelling fluid as it is a good solvent for paraffin. Therefore,bymeans of the solvent effect and high velocity of the gasoline betweenthe baiiies and the pipe wall and by virtue of the scouring andscrubbing action of the rotating brush, We are able to more thoroughlyclean a pipe line than has been possible heretofore. When depositsinside aline havek been permitted to build up to an appreciable extent,the best results can be obtained by first passing the usual type ofscraper therethrough in order to remove the major portion of thematerial and then employing our cleaner to remove the remainingcomparatively thin coating.

It is the primary object of this invention to remove material whichis'deposited on the inside wall of piping in the course of normalservice.

Another object of our present invention is to thoroughly removecomparatively thin lms of undesirable substances from the interior of apipe line or similar conduit system.

The present invention has for a further object the provision of a pipeline cleaning device which is simple and compact in design, rugged inconstruction and inexpensive to manufacture.

These and additional objects and advantages will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art by reference to the following detailed descriptionand annexed drawing which represents a longitudinal cross section viewthrough the center of a preferred embodiment of the invention. Thedevice of this invention is depicted in the drawing as having its majorportion disposed in a pipe l0 and moving therethrough in the directionof the arrow, with the rear cleaning elements in close contact with theinternal surface of the pipe and a valve mechanism in full openposition.

Referring to the drawing, we have. denoted therein a section of pipe IIl which is to be cleaned -ameter of the pipe.

'member and annular space 38.

some other-known method. Mounted near each end of the central body is apair of :dexible wipingdiscs |4, which are made of rubber or any likesubstance, and a wire brush I5. It will be noted that the peripheralsurfaces of the :dexible discs arefrustro-conical in shape; and, alsothat the'forw'ard' discsare provided with one or more fluidpassagewaysl. Through the cooperation of nuts |1 and I8 and back-upplates I9, 23 and 2|, the corresponding disc and brush assemblies aremaintained in proper position on the central body. Truncated cone shapedbaffles 22 are attached to tubular member and are designed so that thediameter of the larger end is somewhat smaller than the internal di- Theopen end of tubular member |I is beveled inwardly at 23 to serve as avalvek seat for a valve 24, whichis removably attached to one end of avalve stem 25 through the coaction of a shoulder 26, a metal ringv 21and a nut 28. The other end of `the valve stem is slidably supportedin'Y a flanged sleeve 29 which is in threaded engagement with apartition 3|).` This `partition is threadedly connected to the inside.wall of the tubular member and is provided with a series of fluid ducts3|.` An externally threaded an,-

nular vring 32, having'an opening 33 to receive an actuating wrench (notshown), locks the partition in the `desired position. Referring back tothe valve, it is seen that it is normally maintained in open position bya compression springv 34 which is concentrically'arranged with respectto the stem between a flange 35 and sleeve 29.'

When valve 24 is fully open, its relative'position with respect to itsseatl23 may be readily altered by merelyy adjusting sleeve 29, partition30,'or both.r An end nut 36 `is employed to vary vthe force exerted byVVcompression spring 34.

of the pipe walls. During the passage of our device vthrough pipe III,the forward assembly of flexible discs I4 and brush l5 tends to wipe offand brush some of the deposits. Through the cooperation of rollers 43and sleeve 39, brush 42 is caused torotate and thoroughly scrub theinside of the pipe. It is evident that while the wiping and brushingaction of the forward and rear disc andbrush assemblies is in thedirection of the axis of the pipe, brush 42 revolves about the pipeaxis, thus assuring more thorough cleaning. A portion of the propellingfluid normally flows by valve 24, into tubular member through' ports 31and thence into annular space 38. This part of the fluid exerts apressure on the bailles 22; and, in passing between the larger end ofeach baille and /the' pipe, the velocity of the fluid will be increased,thereby creating a washing action on the pipe wall. The fluid thenpasses through brush `42, uid passages I8 and front brush,|5. Thematerial which is removed from the pipe wall is carried through andbeyond v our device by the fluid, and collections of matevirtue oftheabove described construction, itis evident that our valvel has a widerange of adjustability. A series of fluid ports 31 establishescommunication with the interior of the tubular A cylindrical sleeve 39,concentric with shaft l2, is free to rotate on bearings 4Il`.'r Onev endof` this sleeve bears against a frictionless .ring 4| while the otherend bears against plate 2|. wire brush 42 is mounted'on" this sleevebetween a xed back-up plate 43 and a removable back-up lplate 44 whichis held against the brush by a nut 45. A plurality of spring 'arms 46are aiiixed to sleeve 39 and are' forked at their ends 41 to receiverollers 48 which are journaled uponl pins 49. The periphery'ofeachroller is serrated as Yindicatedy by 'reference numeral^5|l in order toVaiord greatertraction when pressed against the inner surface'of thepipe. With the axesof the rollers `disposed at an'r angle to thedirection of movement of our cleaner through the pipe line, 'L a rotarymotion is imparted'to'y sleeve 39 and .k brush 42 during the cleaningprocedure.

For the'purpose of outlining the operation of the instant invention, letus first assume that only a comparatively thin layer orl accumulation ofthe contaminating material is present in the pipe. Our cleaner isinserted in the pipe and is propelled by a suitable slug" of'liquid,preferablyfgasolineunder pressure, in the direction o indicated by thearrow in the drawing. The principle of operation of our cleaner is basedon I a combined wiping, washing and cross brushing rial will not becollected either inside or directly in front of the cleaner.

The rate' of travel of the cleaner through the pipe is dependent uponthe internal diameter of tubular member and the number and size of ducts3| and ports 31.' The slower the cleaner moves with respect to thevelocity of the fluid, the more fluid must pass\therethrough.Conversely, if less fluid passes through the cleaner, the cleaner willtravel faster 'n the piping. 'I'he valve arrangement is employed toinsure a predetermined rate of travel and to prevent the device frombecoming stuck in the line. Should movement of the cleaner becomehindered by an obstruction, such as a thick layer of deposit, thepressure of thefiuid will partially or completely close valve 24 againstrthe action of spring 34. Consequently, less fluid enters tubular memberresulting in a greater pressure drop across the cleaner and an increasein pressure on the back end of the cleaner. This increased pressure onthe back end of our device will urge the same past the obstruction, atwhich time the valve will reopen and the cleaner will again function ina normal manner.

From theforegoing it is believed that the construction, operation andadvantages of our presentinvention will be readilycoxnprehended bypersons skilled in thel art. It is to be clearly understood, however,that the form of our invention herewith shown and described is to betaken Vas a. preferred example of the same and that lvarious changes inthe shape, size and arrangement of parts maybe resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit of our invention as defined by theappended'claims.

1. A fluid propelled pipe cleaning device comprising a central bodyincluding a tubular member; cleaning meansincluding an impervious pistonconnected to thecentral body; a normally vopen valve associated withYthe tubular member;

and-means responsive to a'predeterrnined rise in pressure behind thepiston for actuating the valve to close the same. i l

2. A fluid propelled pipe cleaning device comprising a central bodyincluding a tubular member; a valve associated with the tubular member;spring'urged means for normally maintaining the valve in open position;said means being responsive to fluid pressure to close the valve andcontrol the flow of fluid therethrough; and

cleaning means including an impervious piston connected to the centralbody.

3. A iiuid propelled pipe cleaning device comprising a central bodyincluding a tubular member; cleaning means including an imperviouspiston connected to the central body; cleaning means rotatably connectedto the central body; a normally open valve associated with the tubularmember; and means responsive to a predetermined rise in pressure behindthe piston for actuating the valve to close the same.

4. A uid propelled pipe cleaning device comprising a central bodyincluding a tubular member; a valve associated with the tubular member;spring urged means for normally maintaining the valve in open position;said means being responsive to iluid pressure to close the valve andcontrol the flow of fluid therethrough; cleaning means including animpervious piston xedly connected to the central body; and cleaningmeans rotatably connected to the central body.

5. A fluid propelled pipe cleaning device comprising a central bodyincluding a tubular member; a pair of cleaning means connected to thecentral body, at least one of the cleaning means including an imperviouspiston; a baille on the central body intermediate the cleaning means; apassage in the tubular member for transmitting fluid from one end of thecentral body to the baille; a normally open valve associated with thetubular member; and means responsive to a predetermined rise in pressurebehind the piston for actuating the valve to close the passage.

6. A fluid propelled pipe cleaning device comprising a central bodyincluding a tubular member; a pair of cleaning means iixedly connectedto the central body, each cleaning means including a pair of`wipingdiscs and a brush mounted therebetween; a baille on the central bodyintermediate the cleaning means; a passage in the tubular memberby-passing one of the pair of wiping discs; normally open valve meansconnected to the tubular member, said valve means being adapted to closethe passage upon rise in lpressure behind the discs; and cleaning meansrotatably connected to the central body.

7. A iiuid propelled pipe cleaning device comprising a central bodyincludlng a tubular member and a shaft member; a pair oi.' cleaningmeans fixedly connected to the central body, each cleaning meansincluding a pair of wiping discs and a brush mounted therebetween; abaille on the central body intermediate the cleaning means; a passage inthe tubular member for transmitting fluid from one end of the centralbody to the baiile; a normally open valve assoelated with the tubularmember; means responsive to uid pressure for closing the valve tocontrol the passage of uid therethrough; and cleaning means rotatablymounted on the shaft member, said last mentioned means including asleeve rotatably mounted on the shaft, a brush attached to the sleeveand a plurality of rollers inclined with relation to the axis of thepipe for cooperating with the sleeve and the interior wall of the pipeto impart rotary motion to the brush which is attached to the sleeve.

8. A liquid actuated pipe cleaning device comprising a central body; adriving piston connected to the central body and adapted to engage theinner wall of a pipe in which the device is used; a passage forby-passing a portion of the actuating liquid past the piston; baillemeans associated with the central body for directing the by-passedliquid toward the pipe wall to obtain a flushing action; a valve in thepassage; spring urged means for normally maintaining the valve in openposition; said valve being adapted to close the passage upon rise inpressure behind the piston if the movement of the device through thepipe is stopped by an obstruction; and cleaning means connected to thecentral body.

9. A liquid actuated pipe cleaning device comprising a central body; adriving piston connected to the central body and adapted to engage theinner wall of a pipe in which the device is used; a passage forby-passing a portion oi the actuating liquid past the piston; baillemeans associated with the central body for directing the by-passedliquid toward the pipe wall to obtain a ushing action; a valve in thepassage; spring urged means for normally maintaining the valve in openposition; said valve being adapted to close the passage upon rise inpressure behind the piston if the movement of the device through thepipe is stopped by an obstruction; cleaning means fixedly connected tothe central body; and cleaning means rotatably connected to the centralbody.

ARTHUR H. RINEY. LOUIS J. WEBER.

